The Dalai Lama's Big Book of Happiness: How to Live in Freedom, Compassion, and Love

by Dalai Lama XIV, Renuka Singh (Editor)

Everyone wants to be happy. Here in this profound volume is a road map for discovering a life filled with happiness, joy, and a sense of purpose. The Dalai Lama’s basic premise is that each of us is responsible for our own health and happiness and for the health of society. He further asserts that health and happiness are within our reach—both individually and collectively.

How a person thinks, behaves, and feels ultimately impacts not only their own lives, but also the society in which they live. If you desire to attain happiness, you must understand that the journey begins with you. It is only then that you can reach out and touch the lives of others and change society.

In this anthology, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, with characteristic wisdom, humor, and kindness, directs readers toward a happy, healthy, and peaceful life. Talking about universal themes such as compassion, peace, non-violence, secularism, and the pursuit of a healthy mind and body, he reminds us that the responsibility to change our thoughts, actions, and lives lies within our power.

This is a book for fans of His Holiness, for spiritual seekers, and for those interested in the spiritual and emotional health of individuals and societies.

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Religion, Self Help, Adult

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso (born Lhamo Döndrub), the 14th Dalai Lama, is a practicing member of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and is influential as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the world's most famous Buddhist monk, and the leader of the exiled Tibetan government in India.

Tenzin Gyatso was the fifth of sixteen children born to a farming family. He was proclaimed the tulku (an Enlightened lama who has consciously decided to take rebirth) of the 13th Dalai Lama at the age of two.

On 17 November 1950, at the age of 15, he was enthroned as Tibet's ruler. Thus he became Tibet's most important political ruler just one month after the People's Republic of China's invasion of Tibet on 7 October 1950. In 1954, he went to Beijing to attempt peace talks with Mao Zedong and other leaders of the PRC. These talks ultimately failed.

After a failed uprising and the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, the Dalai Lama left for India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan Government in Exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.

Tenzin Gyatso is a charismatic figure and noted public speaker. This Dalai Lama is the first to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony.

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, honorary Canadian citizenship in 2006, and the United States Congressional Gold Medal on 17 October 2007.

Reviews

[JDK1962 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of speech transcriptions. It explicitly states that no corrections of language or grammar have been made, to give you a better sense of what his speeches are like. The Dalai Lama also says, in at least one talk, that he speaks without notes. While I appreciate the book's ability to capture some of what it must be like to hear him speak, I have to say that I had a number of issues with the book.

First and foremost, there's quite a lot of repetitiveness. The exact same ground is covered multiple times, often with the same illustrative anecdotes. This book could have easily covered the same ground in 50-100 pages, had it been edited.

Second, the material that is covered, while true, stays at a very high level. After a while, I was desperately looking for actionable wisdom. I felt like it spent virtually all of its time at the platitude level.

So while I like and respect the Dalai Lama, I wouldn't really recommend this.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Dalai Lama’s Big Book of Happiness was not what I expected.

[Plainsboro Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is universally accepted that happiness is something you are, not something you obtain. According to the World Happiness Report, fewer and fewer people are described as happy since the 1990s. These issues of a lack of happiness are detrimental to all aspects of life and can lead to further mental health issues. The highest spiritual leader of Tibet, also considered the living Buddha, Dalai Lama has a few things to say on this topic. After 77 years of experience and learning, his holiness shares with you his secrets of a happy life. As you are inspired by his wisdom and knowledge, you also receive a raw account of his personal experiences as well as lessons that are guaranteed to be useful in all walks of life. Throughout the book, it is clear that Dalai Lama’s humor and wit are portrayed in the pages and also his innate compassion and sincerity. It is unique and commendable that this book does not have a hidden agenda in turning you into a full-fledged Buddhist, but instead forces you to reflect on your past actions and become a little bit more enlightened yourself. This book is very close and dear to my heart and has become an invaluable tool in finding fulfillment within myself. This is recommended to anyone interested, and also applies to everyone.
- Kiran Thomman, 10th grade

[German Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness is the purpose of life

What is the purpose of life?

Happiness.

The Dalai Lama various discussions reveal various themes — compassion, forgiveness, trust, honesty, actions based on love.

A rejection of hate, revenge corruption and dishonesty.

How do we face the problems, crimes, terrorism and pain with happiness? My favorite passage answered “if there is a solution then don’t worry, but if there is no solution, then don’t worry because there isn’t a solution.” 😅

So overcome the porn else we face with discipline and hard work.

Overall embrace love, cooperation reject the negative feelings and thoughts while avoiding being attached to any particular thing.

Balance.

[Bookreaderljh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is actually a compilation of many talks given by the Dalai Lama over several years after the turn of this century. Each stand alone and could be read whenever a reminder is needed of the Dalai Lama's compassion and a world view that promotes peace and well being and happiness. During the first couple of essays I did underline and dog ear sections of these talks as he speaks of making the world a better place by making individuals better people. It all starts at the individual level and what is shared with compassion and empathy. I especially liked how he admits to being a religious person but leaning heavily on secular humanism and ethics. Following religion is a personal path but accepting EVERYONE's personal path - accepting ALL religions - is the way for people to come together to build a better - and happier - world. These themes are discussed in different ways and with different examples but the basic theme is the same throughout. So reading the entire book as a whole - it sometimes becomes repetitive. Put this one on a shelf and reach for it when you need a reminder of the Dalai Lama's teachings and pick almost any one of the many essays and the wonderful question and answer sessions - to feel that there is hope for this world.

[Kim Snow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time. This book is repetitive, and frankly made little sense. When asked how one who is in pain could remain focused on happiness, he finishes with maybe lie down or drink alcohol. Not the spiritual wisdom I expected.

[Jonatan Därndal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a series of lectures. All of them say basically the same thing. This book would have been much better if there were a variety of subjects.

[Joel Pacheco · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a bit repetitive. Understandable since it is a collection of Dalai Lama's speeches over many years in different places. I enjoyed the Q&As at the end of every chapter.

[Alan Eyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Sharp guy.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful and makes you observe society and your own life. The question and answer format makes it an easy read. Great for anyone of any religion but I was left wanting more.

[Robert Bogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve made it no secret that I am a Christian. I’ve also made it no secret that I’m interested in learning more about other religions and other great thinkers no matter what religion they practice. I picked up The Dalai Lama’s Big Book of Happiness: How to Live in Freedom, Compassion, and Love not because of the great title, but in the hope that it would reveal a bit more about the Dalai Lama and his thinking.

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[S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of talks and their q&a periods, loosely surrounding the topic of happiness. No beef with his messages, I just felt the book was annoyingly repetitive because of the format.

[Evelyn Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone Should Read This

Taking a warm and compassionate view toward our human failings, the Dalai Lama offers practical ways to invite peace of mind and happiness into our daily lives. This book is a compilation of many speeches His Holiness gave to groups around the world, each followed by a Q&A session. He offers insight into the Tibetan issue as well.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good book a easy read

[Isabel Castro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit repetitive, but truly a great reading about compassion, love, freedom and self-esteem, and some different perspectives about religion and it's role on our society.

[Molly Stanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[Sierra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sooo repetitive. I should've just dnf'd but I kept waiting for something new and enlightening that never came. This could've been half the pages.

[Billie Cotterman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but I wasn't prepared for it to be so repetitive. The speeches talk about the same topics and use many of the same anecdotes.

[Carol & Russell]

Really great book. Love the book.